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Now, here is a fellow who lives, breathes and feeds on the word of God like a man on a mission. It’s manifested in his spirit and personified in his lifestyle. With a diminutive frame and larger-than-life personality that follows him like a shadow, Tye Tribbett (aka T-Squared, aka Tyrone, aka T-Bone) is built for this Jesus-job like few other Gospel artists today.
Since the release of Victory (Columbia), Tye has been traveling from coast to coast, running across stages and church podiums with an urgent message of Victory, Deliverance and Life for all who believe. Quite understandably, Tye has emerged as an overnight star of the saints, whose style, sincerity, comedy and Christ-like qualities are remarkably refreshing in a genre where everyone and everything is commonly replicated.
BLACKGOSPEL.COM had an opportunity to plug into this human live wire for the Lord. And Tye did not disappoint. We got a shock or two that had us sit up straight and double over with laughter as well, as you will soon discover for yourself.
Christopher Heron: Let’s start with a noticeable fact about you and Greater Anointing. Tye & GA have become quite the fashion trendsetters, at least within the gospel scene. Who is responsible for the attire of Greater Anointing? And is this an initiative you took upon yourself or is there a few people working behind the scenes as stylists for the artist?
Tye Tribbett: No, definitely the grace of the Lord shined upon me. Whatever you see, I've personally bought it or I've acquired it. It's been crazy because I didn't know how this whole fashion thing happened. If you go to our concerts, you see people dressed well and it's wonderful. I rather that then G-unit, and all that other mess out there. So it's a blessing.
CH: Let’s talk about your current album, Victory. You've classified it not as R&B music or as Hip-Hop music or even Gospel music. You’ve interestingly described it as Kingdom music. What does the term "Kingdom music” mean to you exactly and are other artists like your friends Kirk Franklin, Byron Cage, J Moss and others writing and producing "Kingdom music" as you see it?
TT: Well yeah! First of all, I did it literally from a genre perspective. It's not Hip-Hop, it's not Urban Contemporary. You know what I mean? We have a song on the album called “GA Hymn” and it can be classified as Traditional. I don't want to be placed in a box as far the music genre I perform. I feel that the Kingdom should encompass everything. When you say “Kingdom”, you should think all nations. You should think old, you should think young and middle-aged and they should all be enjoying the same songs like when we worship in Heaven. What kind of music do you think is going to be in Heaven? You know what I mean?
I figure it's not going
to be one style or one genre. It's going to be everything. And secondly, the
Kingdom is the laws or the ways of God. We recently went to Trinidad and we
had to drive on the other side of the road because that's how their Kingdom
is set up. With every Kingdom, there's another set of laws or a certain way
you've got to function. So when we say Kingdom music, we represent the
Kingdom of God. What we're saying is that this music encourages the way of
God, to respond to pain and praise. So this music encourages the way of
God. And yes, I feel like other artists do "Kingdom" music in that sense,
too.
CH: Now you are a product of the East Coast, I'm talking about New York, New Jersey, Philly, Delaware and Connecticut. It's the place responsible for great chorales like Hez, James Hall, S.O.P, Youthful Praise, and so many others. How would you describe the choral sound and style of the East Coast, and how much of an influence has that sound affected you over the years?
TT: Wow! It has definitely affected me in my style and presentation. I love listening to James Hall, that gothic presentation. You know what I mean? I have definitely taken notes from that and Youthful Praise. Growing up, that's all I was listening to. And my Mom was the choir director before she became my manager. My “momanager”. I always had that Midwest music around my house, Milton Brunson and Ricky Dillard. I can't specifically say this GA sound is Ricky Dillard, but I know it's all in me. I know when I write, it all comes out.
Kirk Franklin came and kind of revolutionized everything and how I even write. I have lead singers but the choir can sing the lead part as well, so that's the choir singing the lead. "I sing because I'm Happy". I'm like whoa! The choir did the lead and the background part. So he kind of helped me change how I write as well. I think it's a whole jambalaya.
CH: I brought a friend to his first Gospel concert, which happened to be Tye Tribbett and GA. He’s a former Olympian. And his first impression of you was that Tye Tribbett could do the High Jump or Hurdles in the Olympics, the way you hop, skip and jump across the stage.
TT: (Laughing)
CH: You bring a lot of energy to your performance. Is that your natural energy or do you turn on an internal switch and bring that extra energy to the stage?
TT: (Laughs) I think that’s my natural energy. My dad is very energetic. My mom, my brother and my whole family are all energetic. My little three year old daughter is running around and she’s got more energy than all of us. So I think God has graced us with the energy and the stamina to do what we do every night, all night. And when we leave the stage, I still got four or five songs in me but time won't allow. I guess I can take some notes from your Olympian dog. It’s definitely the joy of the Lord.
CH: Your style and ministry is generating hype and energy about Kingdom music not seen since the debut of Kirk Franklin & The Family. I know everyone has a season but did you have any sense that your ministry would take off the way it has?
TT: I honestly thought I missed my season when Kirk came out. I didn't start after Kirk. We were both already rocking and doing our thing. My point is when he hit the scene I was like “whoa”! He's kind of doing what I thought we would do, so that position is fulfilled. We don’t have to do that. I thought I missed it. I was content at that point with singing at church and being faithful to the Sunday morning duty. I thought I missed my season and I never thought it would be like this. You’re told that with every goal, you know, you write down your visions and make it plain. Every vision and goal I had for GA and the ministry has been met and surpassed. What he's doing with this ministry is unbelievable. I know he's only giving me the platform to give Him glory. I'm not stupid. I'm not soaking it all in. Nah, I'm trying to point it to Him in every aspect.
CH: As incredible as your ministry as been recently, it's been drawing lots of attention from some very influential artists and people. I heard from credible sources at the Potter's House that you were extended an invitation to join Bishop T.D. Jakes’ Potter's House Music ministry.
TT: (Laughs)
CH: Now is there any truth to the rumors and if so are you prepared to make that transition to the south?
TT: I have talked to some people down there about possibly relocating. But after a couple of discussions, I realized it wasn't the time. It was pulling me away with what was going on with GA but I still frequent the Potter's House. I still work with Bishop Jakes closely, with the youth. I went to the MegaFest and different events they have at their church. Sometimes, I just come out and attend their services on Wednesday nights. I'm still very close to their ministry. I consider Bishop Jakes one of my spiritual fathers. There will always be a connection between Tye Tribbett and the Potter's House down in Dallas, even though they lost the NBA championship, but praise God for Dallas. There’s always next year.
CH: (Laughs) In conclusion, let’s get back to the album "Victory". If there is something that you want people to take away after they've heard the first track through until the last track, what is that message and the spirit that you want to leave with the listener?
TT: The message and the spirit is "Victory". It’s not just the title of our CD. It is a prophecy at the end of your situation. No matter where you are right now in your situation, victory is the end of it. This is how it's going to end up. The Bible says, "Nay, in all these thing we our more than conquerors..." That means you may not be out of debt yet, but you’re still more than conquerors. The doctors have might not give you a clean bill of health yet, but you’re still more than a conqueror. In all these things, you are more than a conqueror. My uncle and a member of my choir both recently passed away. It’s very fresh. I said, “Lord, how am I going to deal with this?” And I looked at David, how his son died and he put on sackcloth and ashes in worship. I looked at Job and said, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. I'm going to bless the Lord”. This CD is a result of or a response to the pain that we have experienced. I want the people of God who are experiencing pain, confusion or a state of defeat to walk away after the last track of this album and say, “Man, this situation doesn't have me. I’ve got victory! I'm more than a conqueror. I thought I lost but actually I won.” I want them to feel like champions and winners because they are. Thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph.
For more information
on Tye Tribbett and Victory, visit the official website at
www.tyetribbett.com. To contact Tye
Tribbett regarding booking, speaking engagement and special appearances,
call (856)232-6931 or email
neicyt4ga@aol.com.
